Khirki Masjid And Jahanpanah

Location - About 2km northeast of Qutub
Minar in the southern center of Khirki village.Time To Visit - Open All DaysPreferred Time - Sunrise to SunsetAdmission Fee - Free to all.Photography Charges - NilHow To Reach - Local buses from various points of city coming to
Mehrauli. Hire auto rickshaws or taxis.Nearest Railway Station - Nizamuddin Railway StationNearest Metro Station - Central SecretariatTime Required For Sightseeing - About 30 minutes

Jahanpanah

Founded by Mohammad Shah Tughlaq in the 14th century,
Jahanpanah was the fourth city of Delhi. It was built in between two
inhabitant but unprocted city of Delhi - Siri to the north and Quila Rai
Pithora to the south. Siri was founded by Khilji ruler Alaudin Khilji and
Quila Rai Pithora was laid by famous Rajput ruler Prithviraj Chauhan.

The remains of the city lie today in the village Begumpur. Begumpur village
is crowded with modern housing developments of the suburb of Panchishila
Park south. The easiest access is from a small road that heads east off
Aurobindo Marg between the Outer Ring Road and the Qutub Minar Complex,
right next to the Aurobindo Ashram.

Khirki Masjid

Khirki Masjid was built during the Tughlaq dynasty
and famous for its unique structure. The most extraordinary part of the
mosque is covered entirely by a roof. The Masjid is a fine example of
Islamic architecture in India and vanguard of architectural achievements of
Tughlaq dynasty.

The mosque derived it's name because of its distinctive window opening with
jalis or tracery known as Khirki or latticed windows. These windows are
ubiquitous on the upper level of the mosque exterior wall. The latticed
windows were carved out of stone shield. The prime minister of Feroz Shah
Tughlaq, Kha-I- Jahan in the late 14th century built this mosque. This one
is perhaps the most vibrant one out of seven mosque he built during his
tenure.

Architecture Of Khirki Masjid

Khirki Masjid is another example of
Indo- Islamic architecture among many other monuments in India. Indo Islamic
architecture flourished during the time of Delhi Sultanate ( 1191-1526 AD).
The Indo Islamic architecture is fine blend of traditional Hindu as well as
Islamic architecture. this type of amalgamation gave an exotic structures.
Muslim rulers most of the time used Indian artisans to built their monuments
as they were educated in their own art traditions. Another factor was,
Muslim invaders destroyed the Hindu and Jain temples and mosques and
monuments were built out of the materials. In actual temples were modified
into monuments.

Khirki Masjid was also built on the same principle, which is a fusion and
adaptation of Hindu and Islamic architecture. Open court covered with
chambers or colonnades were the unique in Hindu style whereas ornamentation
was typical to Islamic style. The variations of style was predominant in
many architectural marvels at that era.